In Community: The Structure of Belonging, Peter Block wrote that the key to creating or transforming community is to see the power in the small but important elements of being with others. Community and belonging have been at the center of my interest for quite some time and I’m learning to pay attention to and learn from present day interactions that provide keys to creating and transforming community. But, I’ve not thought much about past interactions from my childhood. When I did, my neighbors Kate and Ollie came to mind.

My visits with Kate and Ollie were filled with conversation. Each time I knocked on their door, Ollie would graciously welcome me inside even though my visits were random and unannounced. I would sit in their overstuffed chair, we would talk about our day. Kate was not well. I remember how lovingly Ollie cared for her.

Last post, I shared a bit about the important difference between explanation and expression and some of my experiences with these differences. I also promised to share what happened when I invited students in my college classes to visually communicate the meaning of their learning experiences. Here are a few amazing expressions of knowledge and insight.

Pam’s visual expression….. in her own words (condensed)

It’s name is the USS Contemplation. Each mast contains a genre and the sails equate the outline of what I have learned during this quarter.

The mirrors placed throughout the ship represent ”reflections” of what we have learned. A couple of the mirrors are placed so that individuals can see themselves. This is to show that we have not only learned about giving speeches but have also learned things about ourselves. I find myself thinking and contemplating that if the attitude of support, encouragement and kindness were displayed by the majority of people in our communities, in spite of our differences, just how much could be accomplished. People finding common ground and working together, building each other up, helping each other, growing together for the good and betterment of everyone’s future.